VERZEUS (2024)

Developer: RETSUZAN
Publisher: Henteko Doujin
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Casual
Rating: 4.4 of 5, 9 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 30 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

Playing VERZEUS feels like piloting a highly customizable ship through fast-paced, retro-styled horizontal shooting stages, evoking the look and sounds of classic late 80s handheld games.

retrofast-pacedcustomizablearcade-styleshoot 'em upchallenginglinearresource managementold school

What players say

Players describe VERZEUS as a faithful GameBoy-style homage to the Gradius series that is both charming and tough. The power-up system is unique and memorable, especially the punishing speed-down item and the ability to configure options. However, some players find enemy bullets hard to see on the condensed stage layout, and several wish for more content.

Screenshots

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More by RETSUZAN

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.